Puan: Domestic Worker Protection Bill Provides Legal Protection
Parliament’s full plenary session on Thursday, 12 March 2026 approved the Domestic Worker Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) as a parliamentary legislative initiative. House Speaker Puan Maharani formalised this decision after receiving written opinions from parliamentary factions on the bill.
According to Puan, parliament’s decision represents an important step in strengthening legal protections for millions of domestic workers whose regulatory needs have not yet been adequately addressed. Parliament, she said, is committed to presenting regulations that support vulnerable worker groups.
“With the passage of this bill as a parliamentary initiative, the subsequent discussion process will be conducted together with the government to produce legislation that provides legal certainty, protection, and respect for the rights of domestic workers,” Puan stated in a written statement issued on Friday, 13 March 2026.
When the Domestic Worker Protection Bill is eventually completed, Puan emphasised that there will be written guarantees ensuring domestic workers have equal status with employers. This will enable the state to recognise the equal status of both parties whilst validating the protection of domestic workers’ rights.
Puan noted that Indonesia currently has 4.2 million domestic workers from the total population, though the number is estimated at up to 10 million according to the Ministry of Manpower. The impact of this bill’s passage is therefore highly significant for workers whose employment status remains ambiguous.
Moreover, Puan pointed out, domestic workers operate under several adverse conditions including no days off, inhumane wages, no employment contracts, lack of supervision by authorities, and no clear job descriptions.
“This places domestic workers in highly exploitative situations and conditions. Domestic worker issues are also hidden, difficult to reach and neglected,” she said.
As a result, the Domestic Worker Protection Bill is being promoted to guarantee social, health and employment insurance for domestic workers. Additionally, the bill contains provisions regarding domestic workers’ right to obtain education and vocational training from central government, local government, or companies.
Next, parliament and the government will conduct joint discussions on this bill. However, Puan did not clarify when the bill is targeted for completion, despite it being proposed for discussion since 2004. In the current parliamentary term (2024-2029), the bill was included in the national legislative programme (Prolegnas) for 2025. Nevertheless, discussions have not yet reached a clear conclusion.
On International Labour Day on 1 May 2025, President Prabowo Subianto also promised workers that this bill would soon be enacted into law.
“Parliament hopes that joint discussions with the government can proceed constructively and produce comprehensive and implementable legislation, so that domestic workers receive appropriate and dignified protection,” Puan concluded.